Monday March 11 Ag News

The Beating Heart of Nebraska
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

In 1973, the Agriculture Council of America organized a time for our nation to come together to, in their words, “recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture.” On March 14, as part of National Agriculture week, I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating our hardworking agriculture producers on this – the 46th anniversary of National Agriculture Day.

Farmers and ranchers are part of the 1 in 3 Nebraskans whose livelihood is connected to production agriculture and who drive this economic engine of our state.

As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I recently had the opportunity check in with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at a hearing on the implementation of the 2018 farm bill.

My husband Bruce and I welcomed Secretary Perdue to our ranch in Cherry County in 2017. When I highlighted his visit during the hearing, he responded with a truth that Nebraskans know better than anyone: “Those of us who thought we lived in rural America have not been to the Sandhills.”

Our farmers and ranchers depend on broadband. It is not a luxury anymore, it’s a necessity. Many of the latest farming technologies require internet connectivity for real-time data collection and analysis.

I introduced an amendment to the farm bill that created a Precision Agriculture Task Force to assess the needs of connectivity and technology in Nebraska and across our country. The task force will seek out existing gaps and determine how to measure internet access on croplands and ranchlands. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is required to publish a report on the status of high-speed internet on croplands and ranchlands, and the projected future connectivity needs for farmers and ranchers.

Access to foreign markets is also critical for our state. In 2016, Nebraska was the fifth largest agricultural exporting state in the country. Our ag producers exported nearly $6.6 billion in agricultural goods, which means roughly 33 cents of every dollar made by a farmer or rancher in Nebraska comes from another country. The farm bill consolidated many of our trade promotion programs to target areas of need and ensure adequate funding for the most effective programs.

It is difficult to overstate the effect that a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak would have not just on the state of Nebraska, but our country as a whole. The farm bill established the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program. These programs will ensure that USDA and its partners have the tools they need to identify, diagnose, and respond to a potential outbreak. The bill provided $300 million over 10 years to be allocated to animal disease prevention and management programs.

I was pleased with the Secretary’s testimony, but there is still much work left to be done. I look forward to our continued work to improve the daily lives of Nebraskans.

America’s agriculture producers are the beating heart of our nation. Our world reaps what they sow. The product of their hard work is found not only here in Nebraska, but on store shelves and dinner tables around the world.

With my whole heart, I thank every Nebraskan that works in the agriculture industry. Your character, your ingenuity, and your dedication keeps our hungry world fed.



Ricketts Announces National Ag Week Visits

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman announced two days of activities and visits across Nebraska to celebrate National Ag Week.  On March 13th & 14th, the Governor, Director Wellman, and agriculture industry representatives will visit Kearney, Lexington, York, and Hastings.

"Agriculture is the backbone of Nebraska’s economy and the heart and soul of our state’s identity,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Ag Week is an opportunity for us to celebrate the families who help grow our state and feed the world.  We are looking forward to visiting some of the innovative operations that are creating opportunities and meeting the needs of our 21st-century economy.”

“Our state is rooted in a deep agrarian history, and our future is bright thanks to our strong agriculture industry,” said NDA Director Wellman.  “National Ag Week is an opportunity for all Nebraskans to celebrate our #1 industry, agriculture.  As we travel across the state we will have the opportunity to showcase our diverse agriculture industry, visiting with farmers and ranchers and touring agribusiness and manufacturing facilities that are investing in our rural communities.”

Governor Ricketts and Director Wellman will be touring a number of different agribusiness and manufacturing facilities including Mac’s Creek Vineyard, Orthman Manufacturing, and Steeple Brewing Company.

The public is invited to attend the following events where the Governor and the Director will discuss the importance of Nebraska agriculture, livestock and value-added agricultural development, and international trade. 



Extended Tax Filing Deadline for Farmers and Ranchers
Austin Duerfeldt - NE Agricultural Systems Economist Extension Educator

We are in the dead of tax season. Filing has been slow due to constant software updates and additional time required by tax preparers to ensure accurate reporting under the new tax law.  This week the IRS announced in Notice 2019-17 an extension to the March 1 deadline for farmers who did not make estimated tax payments by January 15, 2019.  Under the Notice, farmers have until April 15 (April 17 in Maine or Massachusetts) to file their 2018 returns and pay in full any tax due. The Notice waives the IRC section 6654 penalty for failure to make estimated tax payments for these farmers and fishermen, but the relief must be requested.

Farmers and fishermen requesting the waiver of the addition to tax must attach Form 2210-F, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Farmers and Fishermen, to their 2018 tax return. The form can be submitted electronically or on paper.  The taxpayer’s name and identifying number should be entered at the top of the form, and the waiver box (Part I, Box A) should be checked.  The rest of the form should be left blank.



HAVE YOU USED RANGEPASTUREFORAGES.UNL.EDU?
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Have you used the website rangepastureforages.unl.edu?  I told you about this new site a couple years ago.

               Rangepastureforages.unl.edu provides guidance towards the effective production, use, and enhancement of the grassland and forage resources of Nebraska.

               While the site describes many of the range and forage research programs and educational opportunities at the University, I’m particularly fond of the extension and outreach section.  This section contains over one hundred different Extension Circulars and NebGuides as well as nearly fifty popular and on-line newsletter articles written by Nebraska Extension Forage Specialists.  These publications and articles were written to specifically answer questions related to your farm and ranch management challenges.

               Rangepastureforages.unl.edu is fast and easy to use because articles are divided into eighteen separate categories, eliminating the need to search through dozens of unrelated materials before finding the one that fits your needs.

               I use rangepastureforages.unl.edu nearly every day.  Sometimes it makes me look extra smart when I’m asked a question needing a specific answer and I can quickly find the information one of the publications.

               Rangepastureforages.unl.edu also contains a link that allows you to listen to every one of these Hay and Forage Minutes from the past twelve months, just in case you missed one or want to hear it again.

               Rangepastureforages.unl.edu. Check it out today.



USDA Providing Funds to Protect and Restore Agricultural Working Lands, Grasslands and Wetlands Across Nebraska

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). This program, created under the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, provides funding for the purchase of conservation easements to help productive farm and ranch lands remain in agriculture and to restore and protect critical wetlands and grasslands.

Nebraska state conservationist Craig Derickson said, “Conservation easements are a good tool to ensure natural resources are conserved and protected for all Nebraskans. We encourage American Indian tribes, state and local governments, non-governmental organizations and private landowners to contact their local NRCS office to find out how to apply.”

The main goal of ACEP is to prevent productive agriculture land from being converted to non-agricultural uses and to restore and protect wetlands and wildlife habitat. Cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland are eligible.

Applications can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for 2019 funding opportunities, applications in Nebraska must be received by April 12, 2019.  Applications are currently being accepted for both agricultural land and wetland reserve easements.

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance directly to private and tribal landowners to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands through the purchase of conservation easements. Eligible landowners can choose to enroll in a permanent or 30-year easement. Tribal landowners also have the option of enrolling in 30-year contracts.

A key option under the agricultural land easement component is the "grasslands of special environmental significance" that will protect high-quality grasslands that are under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development and other non-grazing uses.  To qualify, the application would need to be located in an area meeting the designated criteria.

All applications will be rated according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds, fish and other wildlife. Eligible applicants will be compensated with a payment rate comparable to the local land use value.

Applicants will need to provide accurate records of ownership and ensure they have established current fiscal year ownership eligibility with USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Application information is available at your local USDA Service Center and at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.

“NRCS staff will work with all interested applicants to help them through the application process and provide one-on-one assistance to create the conservation easement option that works best for their farming or ranching operation,” Derickson said.

For more information about the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services it provides, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Registration open for 'Nebraska Climate Conversations' March 8, 2019

Sustainability programs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Kearney are joining forces for “Nebraska Climate Conversations.”

Focused on climate in the Cornhusker State, the event is 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 30 at the UNK Nebraska Student Union. Registration, which is $25 for the public and $15 for students, is due by March 24. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nebraska-climate-conversations-tickets-55024103575?aff=ehomecard)  Lunch is provided.

Topics include the impacts of climate change and actions that can be taken to address it.

Keynote speakers are Martha Shulski, state climatologist, Nebraska State Climate Office, and Graham Christensen, a fifth-generation farmer representing RegeNErate Nebraska. Other presenters include Allen Dutcher, associate state climatologist; Lucas Sabalka, energy specialist; Del Ficke, Ficke Cattle Company; Deb Gangwish, Nebraska Corn Growers Association; Mitch Lee, Assurity Life Insurance; and Lisa Lee, International Exchange and Citizen Diplomacy.



Fischer Statement on Year-Round E15 and RINs

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said he intends to sign a rule this week allowing year-round sale of E-15:

“I’m happy to see the rulemaking for year-round E-15 move forward as we approach the summer driving season. However, I’m leery of what the EPA will do when it comes to RINs. It’s hard for ethanol producers to have faith in a fair deal from the EPA after deeply disturbing revelations last week regarding small refinery waivers. While I support transparency in the RIN market, I am concerned that the agency’s future actions could negate the positive results of year-round E-15 and negatively impact Nebraska’s farmers and ethanol producers.”



U.S. Pork Exports Remain Steady in 2018 Despite Challenges

Despite numerous challenges for most of 2018, sales of U.S. pork abroad remained relatively steady compared with 2017. For the year, U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports totaled 5.37 billion pounds, unchanged from 2017, and were valued at $6.392 billion, which was down 1 percent from 2017.

“Without a doubt, 2018 was a difficult year for U.S. pork exports,” said Bill Luckey, a pork producer from Columbus, Nebraska, and chair of the Pork Checkoff International Marketing committee. “Market-access challenges were the main reason.”

Pork exports accounted for 25.7 percent of total 2018 U.S. pork and pork variety meat production. Export value per head averaged $51.37, down 3.9 percent from 2017.

Despite market access challenges for many markets, 2018 export growth was strong in a few countries, including tremendous growth in South Korea and Colombia. Pork and pork variety meat exports to Korea were up 40 percent in volume and 41 percent in value, while exports to Colombia were up 39 percent in volume and 32 percent in value.

“With projections for increased pork production this year, the Pork Checkoff is committed to strengthening its partnership with its international customers,” Luckey said. “The National Pork Board increased Checkoff funding by 12.7 percent over 2018 to increase exports around the globe. In fact, since 2014, the Checkoff has increased international marketing funding by more than 30 percent.”

During 2018, more than 100 countries imported U.S. pork.
-    The top five U.S. pork export markets in total pounds were:  Mexico (1.71 billion pounds), Japan (869 million pounds), China/Hong Kong (775 million pounds), South Korea (534 million pounds) and Canada (453 million pounds).
-    The top five U.S. pork export markets in total value were:  Japan ($1.62 billion), Mexico ($1.31 billion), China/Hong Kong ($851 million), Canada ($764 million) and South Korea ($670 million).



National Pork Board Names Norman Bessac as Vice President of International Marketing

The National Pork Board today named Norman Bessac as its new Vice President of International Marketing. Bessac is currently director of international sales for Tyson Fresh Meats, a position he has held since 2016.

Bessac has spent his entire career in international sales and marketing, business development, customer communications and consumer insights roles in the fresh meat industry. Prior to Tyson, Bessac served as the vice president of international pork sales and marketing at Cargill Meat Solutions in Wichita, Kansas.

“The marketing and promotion of U.S. pork has never been more critical for America’s pork producers,” said Bill Luckey, chair of the Pork Checkoff’s International Marketing committee and a pig farmer from Columbus, Nebraska. “Given today’s challenging international marketing environment, Norman’s extensive knowledge of the pork industry and his deep experience in international markets and consumer preferences will continue our work to elevate pork sales on the global level.”

U.S. pork exports are challenged by the ongoing renegotiation of trade agreements, especially for top markets like Japan, Mexico, Canada and China. While the volume of exports has remained strong in the past year, the value of pork exports was relatively steady, declining by 1 percent, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports represent approximately 26 percent of all U.S. production.

The National Pork Board works closely with USMEF and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) in researching and developing new markets and expanding the existing customer base for U.S. pork. In 2018, top global markets for U.S. pork exports include Mexico, Japan, China, South Korea, Canada and Colombia. 

“As the pork industry’s continued success depends heavily on access to export markets, it is important to collaborate with experts that can identify new markets while meeting the marketing needs of established markets,” said Bill Even, National Pork Board chief executive officer. “That means continuing to work closely with USMEF, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service and NPPC. We welcome Norman to the Pork Checkoff in this very important role.”

Over the years, Bessac has held many strategic leadership roles in the food industry with top household name brands including Tyson, Cargill and Sara Lee. Bessac will join the Pork Board staff on April 1.

“I’m honored to join the Pork Checkoff in this critical role. I have decades of experience and knowledge of the fresh meat industry, specifically from the perspective of global food production, processing, sales and marketing,” Bessac said. “I know the players well and look forward to continuing to work closely with them as I shift my focus in a new, aggressive direction on behalf of America’s pork producers.”

Bessac has a Master of Business Administration degree from Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Business (Nashville) and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing/Management from the University of South Carolina (Columbia).



National Beef to Own Iowa Premium, LLC

National Beef Packing Company, LLC (National Beef), today announced that it has approved a transaction that will result in it owning 100% of the ownership interests in Iowa Premium, LLC, (IP). The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2019.

Iowa Premium, located in Tama, Iowa employs over 800 people and processes approximately 1,100 head of Black Angus fed cattle per day. The company is well known for marketing high quality beef products worldwide under several proprietary brands including Iowa Premium Angus® and Est. 8 Angus®.

“I am excited to expand our beef operations with a processing facility in Iowa and we look forward to strengthening IP’s relationships with the family farmers who produce the highest quality Black Angus cattle in the U.S.”, said Tim Klein, President and CEO, National Beef, in making the announcement. “Iowa Premium fits perfectly with our value-based marketing strategy as we continue to provide our customers with the very best beef products and programs.”



Iowa Corn Farmer-Leaders Promote Policy Priorities at Commodity Classic in Orlando

Iowa Corn farmer-leaders went to Orlando, Florida earlier this month to participate in the 2019 Commodity Classic. The delegation from Iowa consisted of Iowa Corn directors, Iowa Corn farmer voting delegates and alternates, Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory team members, and grassroots leaders.

A key component for Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) at Commodity Classic is advocating support of policies and actions that National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) should promote to benefit Iowa’s farmers. "In Iowa, the policy process starts with the grassroots farmer-members from across the state through our membership survey and at our local roundtable meetings. The resolutions then move to the ICGA Grassroots Summit, and now onto national policy development during NCGA’s Corn Congress at Commodity Classic," said ICGA President Curt Mether. "The actions and policy positions that Iowa corn farmers find most important in our home state are brought to the national platform at Commodity Classic.”

The Iowa resolutions passed by the delegate body include:
-    Support all of agriculture utilizing biofuels in their fleets
-    Support the goal of ethanol-based RON 98 (E25+) as the minimum U.S. octane level

“ICGA delegates presented resolutions and in turn voted on these and other resolutions and policies brought forward by NCGA and other states,” said Mether. “These policy positions set the framework for our federal legislative efforts and directly influence our direction for years to come.”

The new NCGA policy document will be posted at iowacorn.org/policy when it becomes available.



Perdue Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after President Trump submitted his FY 2020 budget proposal to Congress:

“Our economy is booming, and unemployment is the lowest it’s been in decades. While the agriculture community still faces challenges, the Trump economy is creating new opportunities for all Americans to thrive,” said Secretary Perdue. “President Trump’s budget is fiscally conservative and lays out a vision for an accountable federal government that cuts spending. With our national debt soaring to over $22 trillion, we can no longer kick the can down the road. The time to act is now and USDA will actively do its part in reducing federal spending. We are stewards of other people’s money and must be diligent in spending it more carefully than we would our own when it comes to delivering our programs. At the same time, we will maintain a safety net for farmers, ranchers, foresters, producers, and people who need assistance in feeding their families.”



Conaway Statement on the President’s FY2020 Budget Proposal

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) offered the following statement on the president’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal:

“I commend President Trump for proposing a budget that prioritizes our military and the safety of our nation after devastating cuts under the Obama Administration. It’s critical that we provide our servicemembers with the resources and support they need to successfully execute their missions, and the president’s budget does just that.

“In his budget, the president honors the commitments we have made to our veterans and delivers on his promise to secure our nation's borders while also allowing hard-working Americans to keep more of what they earn by requiring our nation to tighten its belt.

“On agriculture, as the president knows, the farm safety net accounts for less than a quarter of one percent—a rounding error by Washington standards. So when the chips are down we must keep our promise to farmers and ranchers and rural America made under the five-year farm bill, and I fully expect the president to be onboard. 

“I think the biggest danger facing farmers and ranchers and rural America right now is the politics being played by Democrats on passage of the USMCA—an agreement that is absolutely vital to our farmers and ranchers. I also worry that the Democrats’ socialist agenda would not only spell ruin for our farmers and ranchers but for all Americans. I will continue to oppose their radical policies and stand with the men and women of rural America.”



Peterson Slams White House Request for 15 Percent Cut to USDA

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota released the following statement in response to release today of the White House’s FY2020 budget request, which calls for a 15 percent cut to USDA programs:

“The President’s budget request is a road map for how to make things worse for farmers, ranchers and those who live in rural communities: $26 billion in cuts to crop insurance; $9 billion in cuts to successful, voluntary conservation programs; $5 billion in cuts to Section 32 programs that help purchase commodities in times of need; $8 billion in cuts to programs that help ranchers recover grazing lands hurt by drought; yet another attempt to cut SNAP; elimination of the Rural Energy for America and Rural Economic Development programs and billions in other cuts. This proposal tells us one of two things: either the White House doesn’t understand why these programs are important, or they don’t care. What’s more, all of these shortsighted cuts are second and third attempts to revisit policy proposals that were rejected in the farm bill negotiations. This budget was concocted by a bunch of ideologues who can’t see what’s clearly going on in the farm economy. The good news is this budget is going nowhere in Congress, where the bipartisan farm bill passed with 369 votes.”



President’s Budget Yet Again Neglects Severity of Farm Economy

President Donald Trump today revealed his proposed fiscal year 2020 budget, proposing cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies in order to increase spending on a proposed border wall and defense initiatives.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said the proposal continues the administration’s disturbing trend of neglect for the welfare of farm families across the United States:

“There is a very clear disconnect between President Trump’s priorities and the economic realities facing family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Despite the rapid decline in the farm economy, additional damages from self-inflicted trade disruptions, increasing demand for credit, overloaded farm hotlines, and deteriorating infrastructure in rural communities, the White House today called for significant cuts to the one department tasked with serving farm families, rural residents and those struggling with food insecurity.”

“Passing the 2018 Farm Bill was an important, bipartisan accomplishment. Rather than turning right around and proposing cuts to farm programs, the President should be working to build on that success by providing needed additional support for family farmers and ranchers.

“For three years now, President Trump has been calling for cuts to important programs within USDA. Yet for the third straight year, a majority of American farmers and ranchers are expected to lose money farming. Major relief is needed to weather these tough times in agriculture. It’s time the President’s policy proposals and rhetoric acknowledge the financial pain in farm country.”



NAWG Voices Concern About President’s 2020 Budget Proposal

Today, the White House Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Russ Vought released the President’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget of the United States Government: “A Budget for a Better America: Promises Kept. Taxpayers First.”

In response, NAWG President and Lavon, TX wheat farmer Ben Scholz issued the following:

“While NAWG continues to review the budget proposal in more detail, we do see that it proposes drastic cuts to some key programs for farmers. Congress just passed a farm bill by historical margins from both sides of the aisle which rejected many of these misguided cuts to agriculture that are proposed in the President’s budget request.

“The Administration’s 2020 proposal will make crop insurance policies more expensive for farmers when input costs already remain high and commodity prices are low. This additional cost could result in many growers not having insurance and may make it difficult for them to stay in business. NAWG will continue to impress upon Congress the difficult economic conditions in wheat country and thus why these programs shouldn’t be cut through the budget and appropriations process.”



Rooting Out the Cause of Dicamba Drift

WinField United researchers have developed a novel research protocol for agricultural herbicide applications, resulting in an important advancement in dicamba management. Through this research, they discovered that InterLock® adjuvant technology helps control the fine particle drift of dicamba herbicides that drift reduction adjuvants (DRAs) alone cannot. Including both in the spray tank, along with a water conditioner, reduced driftable fines by 60 percent.

A volatile problem
The new dicamba herbicide technologies have proven to be a benefit and a challenge: When they work as intended, they can be an excellent tool for farmers to use in combating herbicide-resistant weeds such as Palmer amaranth, tall waterhemp and marestail. If applications move onto non-dicamba-tolerant crops, however, the consequences can be catastrophic.

After extensive nationwide training efforts, WinField United had to assume that the majority of dicamba applications were being made on-label. But despite two years of DRAs being used to reduce fine droplets when multiple modes of action are included in the tank, it became apparent that this was not completely eliminating off-target dicamba drift.

“As scientists, we always want to make the best agronomic recommendations to farmers,” said Lillian Magidow, senior research manager for product development, WinField United. “If the majority of applicators were making labeled dicamba applications, including the right water conditioner and DRA in the tank, and using the right type of nozzle, why were we still seeing so much drift?”

Innovation leads to answers
In performing dicamba research at the WinField United Innovation Center, scientists discovered the difficulty inherent in making even a labeled application stay on target. They concluded there were three things that could be causing drift. The first was volatility, an issue with older versions of dicamba chemistry, much of which is dependent on both formulation and environmental factors. Current versions approved for dicamba-tolerant crops have been designed to minimize volatility when used correctly. The second was tank contamination, which is all but eliminated with proper cleaning or exclusive use of equipment for dicamba applications. That left them to suspect that the manner in which dicamba is sprayed was the causal factor worth exploring.

All DRAs have been tested and approved through a standard testing method that is ideal for a highly controlled laboratory environment. And though this method provides clean, repeatable results that are great for making relative comparisons between products, it’s not indicative of what happens in the field. Sprays are affected by the wind generated by driving forward and any wind coming across the field — conditions not accounted for in standard testing protocols.

“Our researchers made some adjustments, introducing real-world application conditions of wind and downwind,” said Magidow. “We found that fine spray droplets, which supposed to be eliminated by using a DRA and an ultra-coarse nozzle, were still being produced.”

After 800 hours of work over six short months, WinField United researchers discovered that InterLock adjuvant technology helps control the fine particle drift that DRAs alone cannot. Including both products in the tank, along with a water conditioner, reduced driftable fines by 60 percent.

WinField United recommends using OnTarget® adjuvant, which is a DRA, with all dicamba tank mixes. Additionally, a water conditioner must be added to the tank, since water used for spray applications often contains cations that can limit glyphosate effectiveness. Designed specifically for dicamba technologies, Class Act® Ridion® by WinField United is a non-AMS water conditioner that helps neutralize these cations to help improve herbicide efficacy. Class Act Ridion also contains a surfactant, CornSorb® additive, for increased herbicide efficacy. 

“Spraying dicamba is complicated — we knew that,” said Magidow. “But we also knew there was a better way to do it, a way that had the potential to be safer. We took an extra moment in the lab to think about testing dicamba applications differently. It was just a matter of taking real in-field conditions into account.”



Cavallo Ventures invests in the future of feed with Performance Livestock Analytics

Cavallo Ventures, Inc., the venture capital arm of Wilbur-Ellis, a leading international marketer and distributor of agricultural products, animal feed and specialty chemicals and ingredients, announced today an investment in Performance Livestock Analytics (PLA), the Ames, Iowa, based producer of livestock analytics software Performance Beef™.

"We look for investments in companies that bring value and efficiency to our customers," said Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition President Andrew Loder. "We are continually looking to partner with companies like PLA that can provide pioneering solutions for our customers and support our innovation vision. The real-time analytics provide producers with greater performance predictability and improved efficiency for their feeding programs while enabling us to understand how we can bring more value to our customers through our products and services."

PLA's cloud-based Performance Beef platform helps producers optimize cattle nutrition and animal health by automating the measurement, analysis and reporting of financial and operational data to ensure better feed management.

"Our Performance Beef technology is an operating platform for livestock producers, providing them with the state-of-the-art analytics and real-time information they need to optimally manage their livestock," said Dane Kuper, PLA CEO. "Partners like Wilbur-Ellis are key to help us reach more markets and are an indicator of our continued company growth."

Performance Beef, the leading business operating system in the livestock industry, is a software subscription service that helps livestock producers automatically capture feed and veterinary information, essential to maximizing profitability. Performance Beef provides simple, easy-to-use software apps that allow livestock producers to manage all financial, operational and performance data for their cattle operations.



Land O'Lakes, Inc. Names Pete Kappelman Senior Vice President, Member and Government Relations

Land O'Lakes, Inc. announced today that Pete Kappelman will join the company as Senior Vice President, Member and Government Relations, effective today.

Kappelman brings a lifetime of experience to this role, as a successful crop and dairy farmer along with his advocacy experience and board involvement with many agricultural organizations. Kappelman has been a leader in working with legislators on important ag policy issues including the Farm Bill, trade and immigration. He also served as an Ag Policy Advisor to the Administration for the United States Department of Agriculture and the Office of the United States Trade Representative and was named Director of the Year in 2018 by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. His board service included the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, and the UW Center for Dairy Profitability.

"Pete brings a rich, varied and valuable background to Land O'Lakes," said Beth Ford, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. "There is no one better suited to help us advocate for and serve our member-owners."

Kappelman is a fourth-generation farmer, having led Meadow Brook Dairy Farms, LLC, with his wife Shellie and their three adult children – an operation consisting of 450 milking cows along with 1,100 acres of cropland. The Kappelmans were Wisconsin's 1995 Dairy Farm Family of the Year and Kappelman was 2018 Dairyman of the Year. Kappelman received a bachelor's of science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, College of Agriculture.

In his new role, Kappelman will be responsible for leveraging Land O'Lakes resources to help the cooperative's members grow profitably and to strengthen our partnerships on technology, talent, branding and financial services. He will have direct responsibility for the Member Relations and Government Relations functions and matrixed responsibility for the Business Development Services and Strategic Asset Management teams. Additionally, he will work across the enterprise to offer Land O'Lakes members value-added products and services including ACT, FLM Harvest, IT services, BuyPoint, member health care offerings, Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN and the Land O'Lakes Finance Company, among others.